Elsewhere, at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, David Villa had seen a 16th-minute penalty saved by Keylor Navas, and that looked like it would prove a costly miss as Barca - perhaps with one eye on Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich - struggled to break down a spirited Levante defence before Fabregas' late breakthrough.

Mesut Ozil scored twice in a 3-1 win against Real Betis to ensure Real Madrid will go into their Champions League semi-final clash with Borussia Dortmund on the back of a Primera Division win.

Granada are a point clear of the relegation zone after coming from behind to draw 1-1 at home with Valladolid.

Patrick Ebert gave the visitors a surprise lead in the second half with a gloriously struck free-kick but Youssef El-Arabi levelled with 18 minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, Valencia have crushed Champions League quarter-finalists Malaga5-1 at the Mestalla.

Valencia were firing in the first half, four goals to the good by the half-hour mark thanks to strikes from Daniel Parajo, Sergio Canales Madrazo and a Roberto Soldado brace.

Malaga finished the first-half with a goal to Julio Baptista, but Ever Banega completed the rout with the only goal of the second-half.